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Leaps in Faith
by Binyamin Casper

Springing1 over homes2 with doorways dyed3 – A dual redemption of souls and nation,24

Nascent faith kindled in all who reside4; Certain of past and future salvation.25

These leaps inspire sincere imitation,5 A simple blend of faith, ingested26

The story renewed with each generation.6 In a temple built on time invested.27

We search our corners, by candle’s fire7 – Sight enhanced through Messianic lenses,

Parts of us, hidden8 – what do we desire? The present, bathed in a light that cleanses.28

Nullifying any untethered stature9; Our journey has hurdles, often quite bitter.29

Matter we’ve severed from The Dispatcher.10 Yet even in darkness, a light still does flitter.30

The ‘iron crucible’ forges refinement31;

Renewed reality11 and sanctified time,12 In distress, tools fashioned for realignment.32

Four rivers of wine traced back to their prime.13

Arms unshackled, carrying treasure33

Every redemption, herein compiled,14 Gifts from above,34 measure for measure.35

Transmitted firmly by parent to child15 – Empathy,36 gratitude,37 an urge to provide38;

‘Hear my simplest,16 sweetest teaching, Freedom to choose a life dignified.39

Superseding any sagely preaching17:

Know that His love is without condition,18 In the doorway40 whispers a prophet’s directive –

He adores hearts pledged of our own volition.’19 ‘Seek depth and meaning, be introspective’.41

Firstborns42 imbibe from triumphant fountains,43

The story told – not just a recounting20; A future in the city surrounded by mountains.44

Clarity of Oneness duly mounting,21

Questions abound, encourage expression,22 The highest of songs45 then perfectly captures

Hearts pried open for lasting impression.23 Impossible expression46 of all it enraptures.
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1 Shmos 13:4: “This day you came out in the month of 12 The first part of the 15-part Seder is Kadesh –
spring.” sanctification of time.
2 Shmos 12:27: “…it is the sacrifice of Hashem’s 13 Maharal, Gevuros Hashem 60: The four cups of wine

Passover, Who passed over the houses of the people relate to the four rivers/tributaries that flowed from
of Israel in Egypt, when He struck the Egyptians and one water source in the Garden of Eden to give life –
saved our houses…” Pishon, Gichon, Chidekel and Pras.
3 Shmos 12:23: “…And when He sees the blood on the 14 Likutei MoHaRaN 7:1: Exodus from Egypt is the

lintel and on the two doorposts, Hashem will pass seed from which all future redemptions develop.
over the door, and will not let the destroyer enter 15 Central to the night of Pesach is the directive in

your houses to strike you.” Shmos 13:8: “And you shall tell your son on that day,
4 The Korban Pesach must be eaten in groups. See saying, this is done because of that which Hashem did
Talmud Bavli Pesachim 64a. The fact that the Jewish to me when I departed from Egypt.”
people showed no fear slaughtering the Egyptian 16 See Rav Yitzchok Meir Morgenstern’s B’yam

deity and smeared its blood on their doorposts, Darkecha, Pesach, pages 65-66 on the importance of
demonstrated their faith in Hashem’s assurances. the simplest, most basic lessons and beliefs, which
5 Rav Moshe Weinberger’s Haggadah, page 35: Pesach are also the most foundational, and best express the
means to leap, skip, jump, pass over. Therefore, just greatest nullification to Hashem’s will.
as Hashem leaped and jumped, we too must make our 17 The Haggadah states: “And even if we were all

own leaps – to find the courage to jump over our sages, all wise, all elders, all learned in the Torah, it
current state, ascending to better versions of would still be our duty to tell the story of the
ourselves. departure from Egypt; and all who elaborate on the
6 The Haggadah states: “In every generation, each story of the departure from Egypt, they are
individual is obligated to see himself as if he actually praiseworthy.”
went out of Egypt.” 18 Malachi 1:2: “I have loved you, says Hashem…”;
7 Talmud Bavli Pesachim, 7b; Shulchan Aruch, Hilchos Avos 5:16: “All love that does not depend on
Pesach, 331:1; The Navi Zefania (1:12) describes a anything, will never cease.”
“search for Jerusalem with candles.” Based on an idea 19 Mishlei 23:26: “My son, give Me your heart, and let

from the Sfas Emes, Rav Moshe Weinberger explains your eyes observe My ways.”
the ‘search for Jerusalem’ as a parable for a search we 20 Rav Moshe Weinberger’s Haggadah, page 59:

conduct to find an ideal state of mind, the inner point “Le’hagid” means telling someone something that
of who we truly are. comes from a very deep place, with great intensity; it
8 Arugas HaBosem explains that when we break the implies words that create and strengthen the bond
Matza in half during Yachatz and hide it, to be found between people.”
later during Tzafun, we are acknowledging a piece of 21 The Zohar and Arizal explain in many place that the

ourselves is hidden; on Pesach we have the ability to word L’sapeir (to tell) also means to illuminate and
rediscover those missing and broken pieces of clarify; Pesach is a time to achieve clear recognition
ourselves. of Hashem’s dominion, strengthen our certainty that
9 Zohar on Tetzaveh 182: Chametz represents the evil everything comes from Hashem, and constantly
inclination and haughtiness, which seeks to influence remind ourselves that nothing exists but Hashem.
our perspective to separate ourselves and all we 22 Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh 80: The Q&A format opens

encounter from their ultimate Source. up the heart, exposes the cynical parts of ourselves,
10 Hashem is the ultimate Provider, Grantor and allows for expression. Even if you (think) that you
Giver. Tehillim 145:16: “You open Your hand and know the answer, by asking, you give yourself the
satisfy every living thing with favor.”; Grace After possibility for expression – both of the question and
Meals: “Blessed are You…Who nourishes the entire the answer. This style of dialogue is an opportunity to
world in His goodness, in grace, in kindness and in vent, express, inspect, refine, etc.
mercy.” 23 Sfas Emes, Pesach 5634: We do not eat anything

11 Pesach is a time of renewal – spring brings rebirth after eating the Afikoman/Korban Pesach. One of the
to the natural world, Nissan being the first month of reasons is that the taste of Pesach and Matza should
the biblical calendar, a first of the year for kings’ remain in our mouths; the heights we achieve Seder
reigns, etc. night should carry us through the entire year.
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35 Hashem grants us blessings as He sees fit.

24 Redemption appears in forms of individuals Additionally, much of the Exodus is explained as
breaking free from personal prisons and also of Hashem’s retribution on the Egyptians in similar
nations leaving the bonds of slavery. manner as to how the Egyptians inflicted suffering on
25 Me’or Einayim, Tzav: On the night of the first the Jewish people, middah k’negged middah.
Pesach, Bnei Yisrael were certain that all the 36 Devarim 10:19: “You too must love the stranger,

promises of the redemption that had not yet for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
happened would absolutely come to fruition. 37 Bareich and Hallel, recited toward the end of the

26 Matza is comprised of two simple ingredients – Seder, are expressions of thanks for Hashem’s
flour and water. It is described as “the bread of unlimited kindness; Midrash HaGadol Shmos 8
Emunah/faith.” See Zohar 2:183b. stresses the importance of gratitude: “Anyone who
27 Tiferes Shlomo, Shabbos HaGadol: “Matzos shall be denies the good granted by his friend, will ultimately
eaten in a holy place” (Vayikra 6:9) – the Torah is deny the good of Hashem.”
telling us that we must take time to prepare 38 Talmud Bavli Pesachim 112a: “More than a calf

ourselves, through genuine teshuva, to sanctify and wants to drink, the mother cow wishes to suckle.”;
make ourselves an appropriate vessel, so that our Slaves are focused on survival and cannot care for
internal makeup becomes a holy place into which the others. A free person is attentive to and delights in
Matza may be ingested. helping others and exemplifies generosity.
28 Rav Avraham Tzvi Kluger, Bni Bechori II, 124: Oro 39 See Rabbi Shmuel Goldin’s Haggadah, page 6, on

shel Mashiach is the ability to look at our present the difference between Dror (liberty, removal of
reality as radiating the light of Mashiach and the external constraints) and Cheirut (freedom, injection
ultimate light of Hashem. Emunah is not passive of positive value and purpose); Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
belief that one day our lives will be better; it is an zt”l: “Chofesh is ‘freedom from.’ Cherut is ‘freedom
active force with the ability to change reality. to.’… Cherut is collective freedom, a society in which
29 Sod Yesharim, Leil Pesach 39:2: Marror/bitter my freedom respects yours.”
herbs are eaten to represent the bitter lives the Jews 40 Talmud Bavli Brachos 3a says that Elijah appears at

were subjected to under Egyptian slavery. Part of that entrances and beginnings and connects parents and
slavery was the ability of the Egyptians to constrict children (which also explains the tradition to invite
the minds of the Jews and force them to think Elijah to circumcisions).
narrowly about their lives. 41 See Rav Moshe Weinberger’s Haggadah, page 192-

30 Tehillim 27:1: “Hashem is my light and my 193: “Eliyahu HaNavi has the power to remind the
salvation.”; Tehillim 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to children that they have a Father and to remind the
my feet and a light to my path.” See Likutei MoHaRan, Father of His connection to His Children…[Elijah]
Tinyana, 12. stands at the opening between smallness and
31 Devarim 4:20 refers to Egypt as an “iron crucible”. greatness, and says to us, ‘Learn Torah in a deep and
Rashi explains that this is a vessel that refines gold; meaningful way. Marry in a deep way, to connect
the Jewish people are likened to a precious metal that with someone on the innermost level. Do good deeds
at times must endure a tumultuous process in order because they are right and good, not simply because
to separate from unwanted influences and be refined. someone outside of yourself expects it of you’.”
32 Tehillim 118:5: “From confinement/distress 42 Shmos 4:22: “...Thus says Hashem, Israel is My

(“meitzar”) I called upon Hashem; He answered me firstborn son.”

and brought me relief.” The word ‘Meitzar’ is 43 Isaiah 12:3: “Joyfully shall you draw water from the

understood as a reference to Mitzrayim. See Likutei fountains of triumph.”

MoHaRaN 7:1 and Mei HaShiloach I, Ki Seitzei. 44 The Seder concludes with an exuberant prayer,

33 In Breishis 15:14, Avraham was promised that “Next year in Jerusalem!”; Tehillim 125:2: “Jerusalem,
although his children would be enslaved, they would hills surround it, and Hashem surrounds His people
leave Egypt with tremendous wealth and now and forever.”
possessions. 45 See Likutei MoHaRaN 243:1 about the hidden

34 Exodus 12:35: “…and they borrowed from the nature of great tzaddikim and why Shir HaShirim is
Egyptians jewels of silver and jewels of gold and the holiest writing in all of Scripture.
garments.”; Rav Zaidel Epstein zt”l explains that the 46 The Seder concludes with the Song of Songs,

term “borrowed” is used to indicate that Hashem was termed by Rav Moshe Weinberger as “the greatest
teaching a lesson: anything we have is a loan from expression of the inability to express oneself” – a love
Hashem. With this lesson in mind, we can attain both that is so strong, profound and alive that it cannot be
physical and spiritual wealth. articulated and is beyond total comprehension.